The shocking revelation of a sexual assault of a woman at Chennai’s premier institution Anna University when she was spending time with a student with whom she was in a relationship.
The incident occurred on 23 December 2024, when the victim, who had been in a two-year romantic relationship with a fellow student, was meeting her boyfriend at their usual secluded spot on campus. Two unknown individuals approached them, attacked the boyfriend, and then sexually harassed the woman. The perpetrators forced the student to strip, filmed her without her consent, threatened her, and fled the scene. The traumatized student reported the incident to the Kotturpuram police.
One person has been arrested in connection with the sexual harassment – a 37-year-old Gnanasekaran, who reportedly is a roadside biriyani vendor from Kotturpuram. He is alleged to have multiple pending cases against him. The Kotturpuram police have filed a case under section 64 of the BNSS and are continuing their investigation.
The victim has also filed a complaint with the university’s POSH committee. The Chennai police are working with the university to strengthen campus security. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
However, it has come to light that the accused Gnanasekaran is a repeat offender and a DMK functionary. Pictures circulating on social media show him alongside several prominent DMK leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Ma. Subramanian.
The FIR also reveals shocking details of the crime.
Like Leader, Like Cadre
The fact that the cadre behaved so and is a repeat offender does not come as a surprise. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has a history and that history is loaded with its leaders derogating women.
Right from its founder CN Annadurai to his successor M. Karunanidhi and the latter’s grandson Udayanidhi Stalin, from senior leaders like Duraimurugan, A. Raja, and Ponmudy to up till the last cadre standing, there are numerous instances when DMK leaders have made misogynistic and unsavoury remarks about women.
From assaulting their arch rival Jayalalithaa in the Assembly, to pinching the hips of their own women cadres, here are a few instances of DMK men derogating women.
Let’s take a look at the present leaders MK Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin’s “glorious” history in this regard.
MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has a history of issues with women. Here is something from the recent past. In what looks like a video from the pandemic era while campaigning for the 2021 elections at Karur, Stalin is seen addressing a gathering of women. He says, “Is this a gram sabha meeting? I can keep walking and seeing all your faces. Senthil Balaji has not killed two birds with one stone, but many birds with one stone. Don’t misunderstand when I saw the word “mango”. I am only reciting a saying.”
1. திமுக தலைவர் @mkstalin
2. திமுக இளைஞரணி தலைவர் @Udhaystalin
3. திமுக மாணவரணி அமைப்பாளர் ஞானசேகரன் #ShameOnYouStalin pic.twitter.com/cPVUf5uPgo
— Arvinth Easwaran (@arvinth_e) December 25, 2024
Udhayanidhi Stalin
Udhayanidhi Stalin made disgusting remarks about Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s appointment as Chief Minister saying that he would have ‘gone inside Sasikala’s legs’ to get the post of CM.
“This is the problem I face whenever I go for campaigning too. I try to say ‘Edappadi’ government, immediately someone from the crowd says ‘Edupudi aatchi’ [slave government]. I wonder whose slave.. Modi’s slave. From another side another man shouts it is not ‘Edupudi’, it is ‘deadbody’. [again laughs]. That is how he was lying down at the feet of Sasikala right! He went under the table, chair to fall at her feet. Given the chance, he would have gone inside her legs as well!” Udhayanidhi Stalin made a tongue-in-cheek remark with a smile to which DMK cadres can be heard laughing and clapping.
When @mkstalin cannot stop his own son @Udhaystalin from abusing and disrespecting women, how can he stop DMK functionaries like this Gnanasekar from being a serial rapists? #ShameOnYouStalin pic.twitter.com/4HlRfq9RFV
— Arvinth Easwaran (@arvinth_e) December 25, 2024
Udhayanidhi also has shared photos derogating former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. In the post, he wrote, “Close enough! I promise this is not photoshop”. In the post, he posted two pictures: one featuring Jayalalithaa during her days as an actor, and the other showcasing actor Namitha. Both of them raised their hands in a pose for the pictures.
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